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· Team CANON
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652 Posts
Discussion Starter · #1 · (Edited)
#1 set of pics is my old school method.
#2 is the new method. updated jan16.

Before I get flammed for having a radar detector in a Jeep.

1. I have a few cars in the driveway, they both require a radar detector. Volvo C30 and Audi A3, both turbos. I always take the radar detector out of the car and use it in the Jeep, if I'm going to be on the highway. I already invested in it. So why not use it.

2. JK Wranglers can actually go above the speed limit.

3. I'm in PA. In PA the speed limits are 35,45,55, very rarely 65. I spend summer weekends on the Jersey beach in Ocean City, no where near the idiots from Jersey Shore, the show. In NJ, the limites are the same as PA. But the police radar gear is on 24-7, so they are very detectable. Sitting in a median, dunkin donuts, whatever, I am alerted with proper notice to get under the speed limit, keep the radio down, and the hope the passengers are not hanging out of the jeep.

While I don't recommend them to everyone, if you live in a specific state that uses old school radar equipment, a good radar detector could save you money in the long run. Jeeps attract attention. While you may not do 90 mph in a jeep, you prolly go above the limit at times. A cop would pull you over, if you are going 7 over in a heartbeat. You have the top down and appear to be having fun. They don't want you to have fun...

# INSTALL METHOD, CHEAP AND EASY:

Anyhow, I have a Valentine1. The visor mount doesn't work b/c it just slides off and it will not rest at the proper angle. I dug through my parts drawers and found this:

GILSSON GPS ANTENNA SUCTION CUP MOUNT. Found them on ebay just now for 7.99. I feel that the four small suction cups provide great support for a Wrangler.
Garmin GA25 GA26 TomTom GO One Gilsson Antenna Mount - eBay (item 380196041144 end time Jan-17-10 10:00:43 PST)

You can bend the mount backwards so that it works perfectly on a jeep windshield. Just get some velcro and you're good to go. If you have a V1, cut out a small area for the grooves, so it works properly in other vehicles. Install the velcro in your home and let it sit before using it in the cold.

Reminder, the bracket comes in the natural position for a car w/s. But if you bend it, it will work;) You can customize it for any angle. Here is a pic of mine installed:



Since then, I removed the bracket, bent it a bit, so it does a better job of accepting the slightly round top of the V1. Pictured is the mount flat, and then bent to fit the V1 top.





http://www.gilsson.com/images/awmglarge.jpg


#2 / NEW METHOD:

Big props and thanks to Xtremjeepn for inspiring me to do this install last night. When I have some time I'll rewrite this with even more informative tips. I really enjoy this mod.

1. Order extra V1 mount and remove suction cups.
2. Order hardwire kit with integrated mute switch (round).
3. Start to run your wire from the mirror down through p-side door and across back of dash behind glove box.
4. Run the power cord to the cig lighter. Tap into the blue and pink with a t-splice connector. This is a switched 12v source. DRIVE SIDE 12V. There is an inline fuse in the hardwire kit, so it's safe.
5. Run the ground (it's linked to the power cable, so you can't go too far with this) up to the Bottom-left bolt for your stereo or mygig.
6. Drill hole in interior dash panel for mute switch, run switch into hole and lock with included lock washer and nut.
7. Hold up your V1 to desired location and get an idea on where you want it. Remove the radar from the mount. Use a pencil and mark the holes. Drill the holes with a tiny drill bit, to get them started. Insert some small screws.
8. Put the mount on and make sure it all lines up. Put some 3m foam in between to provide a little cushion/dampening.
9. Temporarily install the radar on the mount, if it all looks good, remove unit and tighten screws.
10. Rock n roll.

Again, Xtremjeepn deserves the props for this install. I prefer my switch method b/c my gf likes to hit the mute button, if I'm not paying attention. Xtremjeepn went with a flat mute switch on the steering wheel. Good stuff.

I will leave the mount and switch in the jeep if I resell. Next guy is all hardwired up and ready to go!

#4 Sucks. It's very tight under there, and I don't even have large hands. I should have just run my own power wire from the battery. Or use the extra 12v source that came with my lockpick2 (but I forgot about that).

Cheers.












 

· Team CANON
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652 Posts
Discussion Starter · #3 ·
Anyway... Mine came with a suction cup mount that just required a little bending to put the detector at the right angle. Sorry, no picture of it though.
I have a V1, the windshield mount laughs at my jeep w/s. The visor mount sucks, it just slides out. So I had to look at other options. You got lucky my friend :thumbsup:
 

· Team CANON
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652 Posts
Discussion Starter · #12 ·
55mph! YUCK!!! Hell even the highways inside Houston are 60mph, 65mph in some places. I don't think there is a 55mph speed limit anywhere :laugh: And then outside the city it goes up. Gotta love TX.

Of course the state is so damn big that it takes hours to go from one city to the next. So we need high speed limits just to decrease the travel time.
hmmm I thought you had like 75, maybe that is NV and the like.

anyway, we have 55 on most highways, rare sections of "toll road" we have 65mph. and many rural roads are 35.

so I guess this is a major reason why there is so much flaming over radar. you need to look at the region of where it's being used.

cheers.
 

· Team CANON
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652 Posts
Discussion Starter · #15 ·
70mph limit would be ideal!
even still, here, they sit in the left lane and do the same speed as the folks in the right lane.

PASSING LANE hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:brickwall

so on my volvo, I got a custom european style plate on the front:





click the pic to expand. and that is my old tj.
 

· Team CANON
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652 Posts
Discussion Starter · #21 ·
This is just what I'v been searching for. I had a V1 for use in the car I traded for my JK, and now I'm suck deciding if I want to keep it for road trips, or sell it and use the money for a CB.

I don't mean to derail the subject, but are CB radios good for police detection on road trips? I don't speed much, but I like to be aware of my surroundings.
dronac I just updated the initial post with pics of the v1 and an additional note. Good luck.
 

· Team CANON
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652 Posts
Discussion Starter · #22 ·
Not at all... Not like they were back in the day. The truckers are all using sideband radios now. But even with that, they really aren't communicating about police anymore. Truckers just use it for casual conversation now.
I agree with you. They must be doing something right. They are always going 70 in a 55 around here, and I NEVER see one pulled over.
 

· Team CANON
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652 Posts
Discussion Starter · #31 ·
Took the suction cups out of the mount and screwed it to the header.
THAT is magical. Any issues at all with this? proper angle, etc?

I'm gonna have to order another mount b/c I use it in another car. wow! :cheers2:
 

· Team CANON
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652 Posts
Discussion Starter · #43 ·
When I'm assigned traffic, I run my radar, or laser unit in the stand-by mode. I visually estimate the speed of my target, then activate my radar or laser to verify my estimate. By the time your detector alerts, I've already got you. There are a lot of law enforcement officers that run in the on position all the time, we know that those with detectors slow down, and other around the slow also. If you are stopped and have a detector you are more apt to get a citation. You can always be paced,you never know; could be a Dodge pickup or a Cadi with a certified speedometer. Just thought I would give you the other perspective. Just be careful guy's I've been to to many crashes caused by speed.
very thoughtful post, cheers.
 
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